TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14979, 27 April 1909, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

A young man was arrested in Christchurch last evening on a charge of having stolen a watch and chain at Hawora.

At the Magistrate’s Court at Wellington yesterday, J. Matson and J. Marsden, bookmakers, was each fined £5 for betting with an infant. The committee of the Opawa School has requested the chairman of the Education Board to arrango an interview with the Minister of Education, in reference .to the staffing of the Opawa School, when he is in Christchurch tomorrow.

William Stewart Barr, an hotelkeeper at Kilbimie, was fined £5 and costs at Wellington yesterday for selling liquor during prohibited hours. Three persons were each fined £1 and costs for being in Barr’s hotel during prohibited hours.

A statutory first offender, who was arrested in the Arcade, Ashburton, on Saturday evening for drunkenness, was fined 10s, in default twenty-four hours’ imprisonment, by Mr W. H. Rundle, J.P., at the Magistrate’s Court at Ashburton yesterday morning. The Millerton mine, which has been closed since February 27 -owing to an outbreak of fire, resumed working on a small scale yesterday. Coal is being taken from a new tunnel. It will probably be three or four weeks before the mine is in full mining order. Mr Kennedy’s orchestra will play a programme on the first evening and the Linwood Orchestral Society on the second evening of the Canterbury United Horticultural Society’s chrysanthemum show, which is to be held iu the Alexandra Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 4 and 5. It is stated that Mr Goldfinch, who was appointed caretaker of the bird sanctuary at Resolution Island last year, has been recalled, and that nosuccessor will bo appointed. It is believed that this is part of the scheme of retrenchment in connection with the Tourist Department.

The report presented by _ the West Christchurch School Committee last evening to the householders recorded the fact that an iron fire escape had been erected by the Education Board at the brick school at West Christchurch, and had been tested by the headmaster, who liaid occasional fire drills. It had been found that the whole building could bo emptied in 65 seconds.

On Sunday evening the congregation of the Papanui Methodist Church had an unusual experience. As the first lesson was about to be read, tho gas supply suddenly failed, and cycle lamps and candles were brought into requisition until kerosene lamps were procured. As it was the occasion of the church anniversary special music was rendered, and the choir had to sing two anthems by candle-light.

A practical suggestion was made by the headmaster of tho West Christchurch School (Mr C. D. Hardie) at last evening’s meeting of householders. Ho said that ho had for somo time thought of suggesting a day, perhaps twice a year, when parents coukl visit tho school and see it in full swing. If parents received such an invitation, the staff ivould bo pleased to see as many as could avail themselves of it.. Tho visits would stimulate interest in the school, and incidentally in the School Committee elections. Tho proposal was subsequently approved of by resolution of the meeting. At tho householders’ meeting at Wools ton. last evening a proposal that a room in the school should b© sot aside for tho use of children during tho lunch hour on wet days was favourably discussed. The discussion led to a suggestion that tho Education Department should bo asked to provide a free meal for children in the middle of the day, and one householder said that ho was sure it would he appreciated. Another said that tho Government had money for Dreadnoughts, but not for starving children, and a third remarked that it would be a good thing to allow the children a meal, as the future -wives and mothers of the dominion would learn something of cooking.

Speaking at Heathcote yesterday in reference to tlio Lyttelton Borough Council’s now producer gas plant in particular, and to such gas plants in general, Professor Scott said that he honestly believed that producer gas had come to stay. It was a common thing to claim for each new source of power that it would do for any purpose, but lie was convinced that within certain limits producer gas and gas engines were most convenient and economical. He mentioned that for the ordinary work of stationary engines, they were entirely suitable. In his own calculations, ho always allowed for coke at 33-s per ton ; as a matter of fact it sold at about 28k or 30s, and even if the price over went as high as 34e, which w-as most unlikely, that would still leave a large margin in favour of the now power as compared with otlier prime movers. Professor Scott said that an indication of the possibilities of producer gas was given by tlio announcement, which he had reason to believe was correct, that a battleship was to bo fitted with gas engines for propulsion, abolishing smoko and clearing the decks of the funnels which at present limited the gun fire. Nearlv half our week’s trade is done on Saturday. This proves to us that wo should best study the interests of our customers by retaining tho present holiday arrangements. Wo therefore appeal to our customers and the public to Vote for Thursday. 1986

Ladies’ Gold and Silver Watches. Engagement Rings, Mull Chains and all other classes of Jewellery too numerous to mention at greatly reduced prices. K. Grieshaber, 155, Colombo Street. X 3370 Eyestrain Headaches.—Mr E. M. Sandstein, F.5.M.0., D.8.A.0., Ophthalmic Optician, may bo consulted on all cases of defective eyesight remediable by glasses. _ Fifteen years’ special study and experience. The most up-to-date and completely-equipped optical parlours in the colonies. Cnehel Street W. (next Ballantyne’s). Hours, 9.30 to 6. Telephone 31)7. 1893

The river report at 9 a.m. yesterday was:—Ashley, Waimakariri and Ashburton, clear; Selwyn, llakaia, llangitata, Opihi and Waitaki,- fishable.

Detective Ward arrested a man last evening on a charge of stealing, on April 12, a gold watch and sovereigncase, the property of Alexander Mitchell, of Ilawera.

The Christchurch Amateur Operatic Society will hold a meeting on Wednesday, for the purpose of considering the future operations of the society. Intending members will be welcomed. A Press Association telegram from Wellington says that in furtherance of tho retrenchment scheme, the Government has, decided to retire two additional judges of tho Native- Land Court. The Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr E. C. Gold Smith) and the District Surveyor (Mr G. H. M. M’Clure) left Christchurch yesterday to visit Hanmer and Rotherham. At Rotherham they will inspect somo land which is under offer to the Government. A Press Association telegram states that the Government has decided, as part of the scheme of re-organisation and retrenchment, to close some of the poultry farms carried on in the dominion by the Agricultural Department. The Burnham farm will be tho first to cease operations. Some correspondence was read at yesterday’s meeting of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College relative to the application of the Robert Deans Memorial Committee for permission to-erect a memorial tablet in the Boys’ High School. Tho chairman (Mr G. W. Russell, M.P.) said that the matter had never been before the Board previously, and on his motion tho matter was referred to a sub-com-mittee to examine the proposed deed of trust in regard to the scholarship and the proposed inscription on the tablet. The committee mot later in the afternoon, and approved of the scholarship scheme, but expressed a preference for an English rather than a Latin inscription on the tablet.

The question of religious instruction in tlio Sydenham school was discussed at the meeting of Sydenham householders last evening. The matter was introduced by a motion thanking the Rev P. J. Cocks for the classes he had conducted in the morning before school hours. The Rev C; Murray said that he had not conducted Bible instruction classes becauso ho thought that under the conditions that existed at present the results could not be satisfactory. The Education Board should bo asked to reduco the hours for ordinary instruction by half an hour, which could be used for religious teaching. The Rev L. Hudson said that if the parents pledged themselves to send their children to religious instruction ho would be only too pleased to attend at the school, but he thought that the hours for religious teaching should bo more convenient for the children, so that satisfactory results could ho obtained. F. Thomas, a carrier licensed by the Lyttelton Boroneh Council, was charged at tho Lyttelton Police Court yesterday with having plied for hire at the Lyttelton Railway Station without a licenso from the Railway Department. Evidence as to the facts had been heard at a previous sitting of tho Court, but tho case had- been adjourned for the production of evidence to show whether tho roadway on which the defendant was plying really belonged to the Railway Department or not. Mr H. J.' Beswick appeared for the do fendant, and stated, first, that on tho well-known principle that continued usage by the public constitutes the public right to a thoroughfare, the place was' a public road. 110 then pointed out that clearly a question of title was involved in the case, and the Bench,of Justices had no jurisdiction to deal with a question of title. Nor, he said, would it mend matters to adjourn the case for the Magistrate to deal with, because he had no jurisdiction either. Messrs C. ; Ferrior, J.P., and J. T. Brice, J.P., who occupied the Bench, gave their decision in accordance with Mr Beswick’s contention that they had no jurisdiction. Tho rehearing of the charge against Donald, James and Aeneas Chisholm of having assaulted Patrick Gormley, at Sutherlands on January 25, was before Mr V. G. Day, S.M., at Timaru yesterday. The chargo was, heard by two justices of the Peace on March 15, and it w r as then dismissed, the Bench remarking that there had been so much hard swearing that they did not know which side to believe. Counsel for the complainant asked for a rehearing, and on- April 8 the application was granted by the same two Justices. The complainant yesterday repeated his story of the assault, alleging that it consisted of a brutal attack upon him by tho three defendants, armed with a whip, a heavy stick and stones. His statement was corroborated by his son. The evidence of Dr Dryden, who examined Gormley on January 27, was that he had sustained hernia, a fractured rib and extensive bruising, and that though the hernia might not have been of so -recent origin, the other injuries, including bruises surrounding the rupture, had been received within the forty-eight hours previous to the examination. The accused reserved their defence, and were committed for trial to the Supreme Court at Timaru, hail being fixed at £25 each. A specimen of volcanic rock (kenyte) from the slopes of Mount Erebus, Victoria Land, collected by a member, of the Nimrod Expedition, has been added to the case of fresh specimens at the Canterbury Museum. The rock is called keiiyto after Mount Kenia, in East Africa, where it was first discovered. Similar recks are found near Dunedin, but it is not a common type. The specimen shows the kind of lava thrown out by Mount Erebus. It is related to basalt, but contains large numbers of lozenge-shaped crystals, which are easily seen in the specimen in the Museum. A detached crystal is also shown. Millions of these were found in tho crater of tho volcano, some of them being four inches in length. Captain Bollons, of the Tutanekai, has presonted two “carrier shells,” obtained in Hauraki Gulf, at a depth of 32 fathoms. The molluscs that live in “carrier shells’'' inhabit warm seas. They conceal themselves by building on to their shells various objects from their surroundings. The species represented in the Museum usually favour other shells, and these shells have been attached to tho specimens with their rounded sides downwards, so as not to offer obstruction to the creature’s locomotion. Mr M. C. Gudex has presented seme ico-cratched stones, found in a railway cutting on tho St Bernard’s Saddle, West Coast Road. They have a special interest, as they show tho former great extension of glacier ico in tho Waimakariri Valley. Another recent addition to the case is a kiwi’s egg, found at Ferguson’s, on the West Coast. J. M. Heywood and Co., Ltd., have a large and experienced staff of Customs exports, and are iu a position to deal expeditiously with tho passing of goods through the" Customs. Prompt delivery to all clients at low rates. X 4039 Whiter, with its long evenings, is drawing near, and consequently one has now time to devote to reading or studying, which perhaps would in summer time bo spent in outdoor pursuits. When the print is blurrod and the 'otters seem to run into each other, thus Bliowing a defect which can be remedied by consulting John R. Proctor, Oculists’ Optician, 180, High Street. 1X2681

A special meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council will be held at the) Underwriters’ Association rooms on j Thursday, at 8 p.m., to consider the| disqualification J the Southland Cricket j Association. j

At _ Wellington yesterday James! Hemmingway ivag remanded till May on a charge of breaking into the General Post Office and stealing goods, money and stamps of the total value of over £IOO, besides a largo number of cancelled bank-notes.

The Licensing Committees for Christchurch and tho surrounding districts will hold their annual meetings on the following dates-Christchurch. June 10; Avon and Ellesmere, June 3; Riocarton, June 4; KaLapoi, June 7; Lyttelton and Hurunui, June 9: Selwvn June 10. '

Mr W. R. Morris, acting-secretary of tho Post and Telegraph Department, has been appointed actmg-Commission-or of Old Age Pensions and actingCommissioner of Stamps. Mr P. C.< Corliss, who recently arrived from Dunedin to take up duties in Wellington, becomes Deputy-Commissioner of Stamps. Captain T. W. M’Donald, As-! sietant Adjutant-General of the Wellington military district, will Succeed Colonel Loveday in charge of school cadets, with the rank of major. . The question of the installation of fire escapes on two-storeyed school, buildings was argued at length at the; meeting of Sydenham householders lastnight; Some of the householders pre-| sent grew very heated in talking on the j matter, and one, who had been a member of tho committee during the year,' speaking of the fire escape at the Sydenham school, got hopelessly mixed in. connecting the installation at Syden-i ham with a recent in America, when over a hundred children were killed'. He spoke of the fire in America and then astonished the meeting by, declaring: “And, that fire in which those children were killed was the outcome of our own fire escape at Syden- 1 ham.” I

The annual report of the Richmond School Committee, which was adopted; at the, annual meeting of householders last evening, stated that during the past swimming season 15 girls and 24boys had gained proficiency certificates issued by the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. Four girls and five boys had swum a mile, and five boys half a mile. The boys’ championship had been won by Norman Harrison, and the girls’ championship by Mildred Ostler for tho second time. The report stated that the satisfactory results of the tuition in swimming were largely due \o the . efforts of Miss Spence and Mr Watson, the swimming instructors.

Tho Cabinet has decided upon - the, following scheme of reorganisation of; tho Department of Agriculture, states, a Press Association telegram:—R. S. Pope, chief clerk, to become Secretary of Agriculture; D. Cuddie, Dairy Commissioner, to become Director of Dairy, Produce Department; 0. J. Reakes,j Chief Veterinarian, to become Director, of Live Stock and Meat Division; J,I L. Bruce, Inspector of Stock, Otago, j to become Assistant-Director of Live; Stock and Meat Division; E. Clifton,; Chief Inspector of Stock, to become Director of Fields and Experimental 1 Farms;’ T. W. Kirk, Government Biologist, to become Director of Orchards, Gardens and Apiaries Division,

A VICAR AND HIS CONGREGATION The Auckland correspondent of the “Lyttelton Times” states that the vicar and the vestry of St Paul’s Church have been at loggerheads for somo time upon the question of ceremonial in church services. Speaking at St Paul’s on Sunday night, the ..vicar. (the Rev 11. Watson.) went oir-to reffir to a report which had been going round, tliat St Paul’s was about tp bnng big changes'-in the conduct of the services.! On his arrival in the parish just over twelve -months ago, / he was told that, there was a prejudice against him, and this prejudice he found did exist. It’ was said that, ho was a prohibitionist and a ritualist. He was neither. Ho took up the same action now as he did then as an advocate of “ no-license,’ and his views oil church matters were as they were when he first came to Auckland, so that when they came to elect a vestry next night he wanted them to understand that lie had nothing to l conceal. “Whilst I want to' see everything working happily and harmoniously,” ho continued, “ I would rather have a storm in the parish everyweek than deadly lethargy which passes, under the name of .peace, but which i»; -only stagnation. I can only say that I am not going to 1 break out,’ but if I consider anything to be helpful to tlio parishioners or really beneficial to the services I will continue to use it. _ As regards the carrying of tile processional cross being extraordinary, I venture to j say that m ten years’ time there will' hardly be a church of any size which, will not have a processional cross car-’, ried. Meanwhile, I do not intend. to have any more processional hymns witrc* out tho carrying of a processional cross.” THE RESULTS” OF THE MOTOR-. CYCLE RELIABILITY TRIAL. Christchurch to Akaroa and return. Distance, 114 miles; 19 competitors.— The motor-cycle reliability hill-climbing and petrol consumption trial was run on March 6, and resulted in a sweeping victory for the 31- h.p. Triumph motors. Everybody knows how tlio Talbot cars wiped out 36 competitors in the late motor-car trials, and again we have the pleasure to report to the public that the Triumph motor-cycles, in competition with seven well-known makes, have repeated the victory of the Talbot team by winning all tho premier prizes. Mr R. English, tho judge, awarded the prizes to the 3i h.p. Triumph riders as follows: —For reliability, open class: Ist, W. Blundell; 2nd, F. Howarih.-Private owners’class: Ist, C. Bailey; 2nd, A. Beken. Hill-climbing, open class: G. B. Brown.■ Private owners’ class: I*. S. Barnett. Lowest petrol consumption, open class:.*' W. Blundell. Private owners’ class: A Beken. Best performance in hill climb: G. B. Brown. Highest aggregate marks, for reliability, _ lowest petrol consumption and hill-climbing: B. Brown. Making a total of eight fost prizes awarded to riders of Triumph motor-cycles. What a victory for Triumphs! A world’s record! All other makes of motor-cycles wiped out. Tho success of the Triumphs in tho trials is our reward for selling to the public the highest class goods. Fifty Triumph motor-cycles now arriving, price £7O. Adams Limited, sole Now Zealand agents, 138-140, High Street, j Ohristohurch. I^BB